Broadway business owners seek lifeline grants as East Broadway closure looms

Vancouver's Mount Pleasant BIA says East Broadway will be fully closed starting Jan. 26 for four months and is asking the provincial government for targeted 'lifeline' grants to help businesses; the B.C. transportation minister has so far rejected compensation.

Vancouver's Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area reports that subway construction will fully close East Broadway between Main Street and Quebec Street beginning Jan. 26. The MPBIA says the planned closure, followed by a period of one lane in each direction, has worsened an already difficult financial picture for many small businesses along the corridor. Executive director Neil Wyles has requested a meeting with B.C. Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth and is asking the province for targeted lifeline grants tied to business size and documented losses. The provincial ministry has said it has been in regular contact with the business community and that compensation is not government policy. Known details: - The full closure of East Broadway between Main Street and Quebec Street is scheduled to begin Jan. 26 and last four months. - When the street reopens, it is planned to operate with one lane in each direction for an additional four months. - The MPBIA reports that businesses in a five-block stretch have fallen from about 125 to fewer than 60 and that many operators are at or below break-even. - The MPBIA is requesting an infrastructure "lifeline" grant tied to size, fixed costs, and documented losses, and seeks a ministerial meeting to discuss it. - Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth has publicly said compensation is not government policy and ministry officials did not attend a recent MPBIA meeting. Summary: The MPBIA reports that the upcoming closure and following lane reductions could deepen financial strain on remaining businesses and has asked for provincial lifeline grants and a ministerial meeting. The minister has declined compensation publicly and has not yet met with the MPBIA on this request. Undetermined at this time.